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Minister Griffin addresses OECD high-level meeting on tourism

Tuesday 03 October 2017

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Brendan Griffin T.D. today addressed the OECD High Level Meeting on Tourism in Paris. The event marks the occasion of the 100th meeting of the Tourism Committee and supports the future policy agenda of OECD member and partner countries. It draws attention to the major advances made in the implementation of effective tourism policies and programmes, and facilitates open discussions about long term objectives for tourism development, and how an effective, forward-looking, whole-of-government approach can help achieve these objectives.

This high level meeting brought together Ministers, senior policy makers and industry leaders to discuss ways to deliver more sustainable and inclusive tourism growth.

Three main topics were covered at the event: “Fostering a Whole of government Approach to Tourism”; “Analysing Megatrends to Better Shape the Future of Tourism”; and “Leveraging investment for sustainable and inclusive tourism growth”.

In addition, the high-Level group was asked to adopt an OECD Policy Statement on “Tourism Policies for Sustainable and Inclusive Growth”. The OECD Policy Statement fits well with Irish Government policy on tourism and Minister Griffin was satisfied to approve it on behalf of Ireland.

Minister Griffin T.D. commented on the event: “I am delighted to have had the opportunity to take part in this High-Level meeting on tourism. It was very interesting to hear the observations of various colleagues and their country’s approach to delivering sustainable and inclusive tourism growth. It has certainly provided food for thought as we contemplate the issues facing Irish tourism.”

Following the meeting, Minister Griffin travelled on to London to attend Tourism Ireland’s Flavours of Ireland event which is taking place tomorrow (04th of October 2017), as well as attending meetings with British travel trade representatives and others, to discuss tourism in the post-Brexit environment.